Report creating system, report creating apparatus, and report creating method

ABSTRACT

A report creating system includes a storage part storing machine type information correlating the machine type codes of apparatuses with corresponding types of the apparatuses, pattern information showing usage patterns based on the presence or absence of usage of the types of the apparatuses, and type information correlating the usage patterns with corresponding report types; an identification part obtaining the machine type code of one or more of the apparatuses remotely managed by a remote management system and identifying the type of the one or more of the apparatuses based on the machine type code and the machine type information; a first determination part determining the usage pattern based on the identified type and the pattern information; a second determination part determining the report type based on the determined usage pattern and the type information; and a creation part creating a report based on the determined report type.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/771,476, filed on Feb. 20, 2013, which is based upon andclaims the benefit of priority of Japanese Patent Application No.2012-034806, filed on Feb. 21, 2012. The disclosures of the priorapplications are hereby incorporated herein in their entirety byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a report creating system, a reportcreating apparatus, and a report creating method for creating a report.

2. Description of the Related Art

There has been a recent demand for solving problems such as an increasein document-related cost or assets and an increase in environmentalloads by optimizing apparatus environment and reviewing managerial andoperational work. For example, by using a system for remotely managingapparatuses connected to a network, it is possible to determine theconditions of the apparatuses in real time in a management center.

Various services are provided in this remote management system. Forexample, Japanese Patent No. 4163550 describes a remote managementsystem where a management apparatus manages apparatuses through anintermediary apparatus.

Further, for example, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No.2002-269293 describes obtaining necessary information from the databaseof a management apparatus in accordance with the contents of a user'srequest and creating a report as a service provided by a remotemanagement system.

Here, one of the services provided based on the information collected bythe management apparatus of the remote management system is a servicecalled a “usage report service.” This service provides a report on theusage of managed apparatuses on an apparatus basis when the managedapparatuses are apparatuses having a printing function, such as imageforming apparatuses. The details of the usage to be reported are, forexample, as follows:

-   -   the rates of usage of a duplex (printing or copying) function        and a combining function and the number of outputs by paper size        on for each apparatus;    -   a paper reduction effect due to the use of a duplex function and        a combining function (an estimated value);    -   power consumption and the CO₂ emissions (output) of an apparatus        at the time of its use on an apparatus basis (estimated values);        and    -   the total paper reduction of an apparatus expressed with the        transition of the total number of outputs over the last twelve        months on an apparatus basis.

Meanwhile, according to conventional techniques, image formingapparatuses are considered as managed apparatuses in the case ofproviding reports, so that other apparatuses are not under remotemanagement. Therefore, in the case of managing other apparatuses such asa projector, the remote management system is desired to create a reportthat covers usage of the other apparatuses.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an aspect of the present invention, a report creatingsystem includes a storage part configured to store machine typeinformation, pattern information, and type information, wherein themachine type information correlates machine type codes of apparatuseswith corresponding types of the apparatuses, the pattern informationshows usage patterns based on presence or absence of usage of the typesof the apparatuses, and the type information correlates the usagepatterns with corresponding report types; an identification partconfigured to obtain the machine type code of one or more of theapparatuses remotely managed by a remote management system, and toidentify the type of the one or more of the apparatuses based on themachine type code and the machine type information; a firstdetermination part configured to determine the usage pattern based onthe type identified by the identification part and the patterninformation; a second determination part configured to determine thereport type based on the usage pattern determined by the firstdetermination part and the type information; and a creation partconfigured to create a report based on the report type determined by thesecond determination part.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a report creatingapparatus connected via a network to a remote management system remotelymanaging one or more apparatuses includes an obtaining part configuredto obtain first identification information for identifying a type of theone or more apparatuses; and a creation part configured to create areport according to the type of the one or more apparatuses determinedbased on the obtained identification information.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a report creatingmethod includes the steps of obtaining a machine type code of one ormore apparatuses remotely managed by a remote management system, andidentifying a type of the one or more apparatuses based on the machinetype code and machine type information correlating the machine type codewith a corresponding type of the one or more apparatuses; determining ausage pattern based on the identified type of the one or moreapparatuses and pattern information showing the usage pattern based onpresence or absence of usage of the type of the one or more apparatuses;determining a report type based on the determined usage pattern and typeinformation correlating the usage pattern with a corresponding one ormore report types; and creating a report based on the determined reporttype, wherein the steps are executed by a computer.

The object and advantages of the invention will be realized and attainedby means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out inthe claims.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and notrestrictive of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention willbecome more apparent from the following detailed description when readin conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a remote managementsystem according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an arrangement of a report creatingsystem relative to the remote management system according to anembodiment;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an MFPaccording to an embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a projectoraccording to an embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of anintermediary apparatus according to an embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a managementapparatus according to an embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a creationapparatus according to an embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating functions of the creationapparatus according to an embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating device information managed in adatabase of the remote management system according to an embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating machine type information managed in adatabase of the report creating system according to an embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating pattern information stored in thedatabase of the report creating system according to an embodiment;

FIG. 12A is a diagram illustrating an example of type informationmanaged in the database of the report creating system according to anembodiment;

FIG. 12B is a diagram illustrating another example of type informationmanaged in the database of the report creating system according to anembodiment;

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a report type selecting screenaccording to an embodiment;

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a report based on a report type forreporting the usage of a duplex function and a combining functionaccording to an embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a report based on a report type forreporting output on a color mode basis according to an embodiment;

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a report based on a report type forreporting time by operating condition according to an embodiment;

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a report based on a report type forreporting the mode-by-mode projection time of a projector according toan embodiment;

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a report based on a report type forreporting the usage of an MFP and the projector according to anembodiment;

FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating a report creating process accordingto an embodiment; and

FIG. 20 is a sequence diagram illustrating a report creating processincluding the remote management system according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As described above, in the case of managing other apparatuses such as aprojector, the remote management system is desired to create a reportthat covers usage of the other apparatuses.

However, image forming apparatuses and other apparatuses use differentdevices and process different data, and the remote management system isnot provided with information on which one of the other apparatuses hasbeen used. Therefore, it is impossible for the remote management systemto determine what type of report to create. Therefore, the remotemanagement system is prevented from creating an appropriate report inthe case of managing various kinds (types) of apparatuses.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a report creatingsystem, a report creating apparatus, and a report creating method areprovided that create an appropriate report when various kinds (types) ofapparatuses are managed by a remote management system.

According to an aspect of the present invention, an appropriate reportis created when various kinds (types) of apparatuses are managed by aremote management system.

A description is given below, with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, of one or more embodiments of the present invention.

First, a description is given of a remote management system on whichcertain embodiments of the present invention are based. FIG. 1 is adiagram illustrating a configuration of a remote management system 1according to an embodiment.

The remote management system 1 manages apparatuses 10 a, 10 b, 10 c, 10d, 10 e, and 10 f, which are objects to be managed. The apparatuses 10 athrough 10 f may also be collectively referred to as the “apparatus orapparatuses 10.” Examples of the apparatuses 10 include image formingapparatuses such as printers, facsimile (FAX) machines, digital copiers,scanners, and digital multifunction machines; network consumerelectronics; vending machines; medical devices; power supply units; airconditioning systems; and electronic apparatuses (communicationsdevices), which are metering systems for gas, water, electricity, etc.,with a communicating function.

The apparatuses 10 may be connected via a local area network (LAN) toapparatuses including intermediary apparatuses 101 a, 101 b, and 101 c,which may also be collectively referred to as the “intermediaryapparatus or apparatuses 101.” The intermediary apparatuses 101 may beconnected to a management apparatus 102, which operates as a server, viaa public line (a telephone line) 103 or the Internet 112.

The management apparatus 102 may remotely perform centralized management(control) of the apparatuses 10 via the intermediary apparatuses 101.Examples of the public line 103 include landlines such as an analogline, an ADSL line, a digital line (an ISDN line), and an optical fiberline; and mobile phone lines such as a cellular phone line and a PHSline.

In an installation environment A illustrated in FIG. 1, a simplehierarchical structure is constructed where the intermediary apparatus101 a, which is capable of establishing a direct connection with themanagement apparatus 102 based on Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP),has the apparatuses 10 a and 10 b as subordinates.

Further, in an installation environment B illustrated in FIG. 1, becausefour apparatuses 10 are installed, installation of a single intermediaryapparatus 101 alone would result in a high operational load on theinstalled intermediary apparatus 101. Therefore, the intermediaryapparatus 101 b, which is capable of establishing a direct connectionwith the management apparatus 102 based on HTTP, has not only theapparatuses 10 c and 10 d but also the intermediary apparatus 101 c assubordinates.

The intermediary apparatus 101 c forms a hierarchical structure wherethe intermediary apparatus 101 c also has the apparatuses 10 e and 10 fas subordinates. In this case, in order to remotely manage theapparatuses 10 e and 10 f, information transmitted from the managementapparatus 102 reaches the apparatus 10 e or 10 f via the intermediaryapparatus 101 b and its subordinate node of the intermediary apparatus101 c.

Further, apparatuses, which are objects of management, may also have thefunctions of the intermediary apparatuses 101. These apparatuses arereferred to as “apparatuses with an intermediary function” or simplyreferred to as “apparatuses.” As in an installation environment Cillustrated in FIG. 1, apparatuses with an intermediary function 11 aand 11 b, which may be collectively referred to as the “apparatus orapparatuses (with an intermediary function) 11,” may be connected to themanagement apparatus 102 via the public line 103 or the Internet 112without going through (without intervention of) an intermediaryapparatus.

Although not graphically illustrated, apparatuses equal to theapparatuses 10 may also be connected to the apparatuses with anintermediary function 11 as the subordinates of the apparatuses 11.

A dial-up server 111, which is a relay, connects the managementapparatus 102 and the intermediary apparatuses 101 or the apparatuses 11via the public line 103 (which may be a dedicated line) and the Internet112, so as to enable communications between the management apparatus 102and the intermediary apparatuses 101 or the apparatuses 11.

For example, in response to a request (for communications with themanagement apparatus 102) from the intermediary apparatus 101 or theapparatus 11, the dial-up server 111 performs negotiations(communication-related information exchange) with the requestor via thepublic line 103.

As a result of the negotiations, the dial-up server 111 connects therequestor and the management apparatus 102 so as to enablecommunications between the requestor and the management apparatus 102.That is, the dial-up server 111 causes the requestor and the managementapparatus 102 to communicate with each other.

In consideration of security, firewalls 104 a, 104 b, and 104 c, whichmay also be collectively referred to as the “firewall or firewalls 104,”are installed in the installation environments A, B, and C,respectively. The firewall 104 is formed of a proxy server.

In the remote management system 1 illustrated in FIG. 1, theintermediary apparatus 101 contains an application program forcontrolling and managing the apparatus 10 connected to the intermediaryapparatus 101.

The management apparatus 102 contains an application program forcontrolling and managing the intermediary apparatuses 101 andcontrolling and managing the apparatuses 10 through the intermediaryapparatus 101. Each of these nodes including the apparatuses 10 in theremote management system 1 is configured to transmit a “request,” whichis a request for processing to a method of the application program ofanother node and to receive a “response,” which is the result of therequested processing, based on a remote procedure call (RPC).

That is, the intermediary apparatus 101 or the apparatus 10 connected tothe intermediary apparatus 101 is configured to generate and pass arequest to the management apparatus 102, and to obtain a response tothis request. Further, the management apparatus 102 is configured togenerate and pass a request to the intermediary apparatus 101, and toobtain a response to this request.

This request includes causing the intermediary apparatus 101 to transmitvarious kinds of requests to the apparatus 10 and obtaining a responsefrom the apparatus 10 via the intermediary apparatus 101.

In order to implement an RPC, known protocols (communicationsstandards), techniques, and specifications, such as Simple Object AccessProtocol (SOAP), HTTP, File Transfer Protocol (FTP), Component ObjectModel (COM), and Common Object Request Broker Architecture (CORBA), maybe used.

The remote management system 1 as illustrated in FIG. 1 allowsinformation on apparatuses used by customers (the apparatuses 10) to becollected in the management apparatus 102. The management apparatus 102retains the device (apparatus) information and usage information of theapparatuses used by customers. In the report creating system describednext, a report is created using the information collected by themanagement apparatus 102. Examples of the report include a usage report.

Next, a description is given of a report creating system according to anembodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an arrangement of a reportcreating system 2 relative to the remote management system 1. In theremote management system 1 illustrated in FIG. 2, a multifunctionperipheral (MFP) 15 b and a projector 15 c are managed as theapparatuses 10 via the intermediary apparatus 101, and an MFP 15 d ismanaged as the apparatus with an intermediary function 11.

Conventional object apparatuses of remote management are mostly MFPs,but other apparatuses such as the projector 15 c may also be subjectedto remote management. In the following description, the projector 15 cis taken as an example of the other apparatuses.

The MFPs 15 b and 15 d and the projector 15 c that are apparatusessubjected to remote management inform the management apparatus 102 ofmachine type and number information and customer codes as deviceinformation. The machine type and number information includes a machinetype code, which is determined for each of the machine types ofapparatuses and is defined and used as a company (in-house) standard,and an identification number (machine number) that differs fromapparatus to apparatus to uniquely identify each apparatus. The machinetype and number information enables identification of the machine typeof a product. The customer code is information for uniquely identifyinga customer.

The MFPs 15 b and 15 d subjected to remote management have a function oftransmitting a failure notification, a supply (toner supply)notification, and the total counts of copies and prints to themanagement apparatus 102 as usage information.

The projector 15 c subjected to remote management has a function oftransmitting a failure notification and information on projection timeto the management apparatus 102 as usage information.

The management apparatus 102 includes a database 121, and stores thereceived usage information in the database so that the stored usageinformation may be read out in correlation with the machine type andnumber information. The management apparatus 102 uses the usageinformation for management of the conditions of apparatuses and forvarious services.

The management apparatus 102 uses the machine type and numberinformation of apparatuses as the identification information ofapparatuses, and uses the customer codes as the identificationinformation of customers.

The report creating system 2 illustrated in FIG. 2 includes a creationapparatus 150 and a database 151. The creation apparatus 150 is aninformation processor that creates reports using the device informationcollected by the management apparatus 102.

The database 151 is a storage part that stores data for creating reportsand stores reports created by the creation apparatus 150. The database151 may alternatively be provided inside the creation apparatus 150.

Customers download reports from the report creating system 2 using aninformation processor (a personal computer [PC]) 15 a or a PC 152.

The report creating system 2 is provided in the same wide area network(WAN) or the like as the remote management system 1. The report creatingsystem 2 is configured to access the database 121 of the remotemanagement system 1 and read necessary data.

The report creating system 2 retains an interface that may be operatedvia a network, such as an interface that may be controlled by a user ofa service operation section in the same WAN.

Further, the report creating system 2 retains, for example, an interfaceas a members-only portal site accessed via the Internet 112 bycustomers. Customers are allowed to receive services, for example,download reports, from the report creating system 2 via the Internet112. Next, a description is given in detail of the apparatuses (the MFPs15 b and 15 d and the projector 15 c), the management apparatus 102, andthe creating apparatus 150.

First, a description is given of the MFP 15 b, which is an example of aremotely managed image forming apparatus. FIG. 3 is a block diagramillustrating a configuration of the MFP 15 b. As illustrated in FIG. 3,the MFP 15 b includes a controller board 200, a hard disk drive (HDD)201, a nonvolatile random access memory (NV-RAM) 202, a personalinterface (PI) board 203, a physical media interface (PHY) 204, anoperations panel 205, a plotter and scanner engine board 206, a powersupply unit 207, a finisher 208, an automatic document feeder (ADF) 209,a paper feed bank 210, and other peripheral machines 215. Each of theseunits is a hardware resource in the MFP 15 b.

The controller board 200, which corresponds to a control part, includesa central processing unit (CPU), a read-only memory (ROM), and a RAM,and controls functions via a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus212.

The HDD 201 is a storage part (a recording medium) that stores andretains information irrespective of power supply from the power supplyunit 207. The NV-RAM 202 is a nonvolatile storage part, for which anonvolatile memory may be used, such as a nonvolatile RAM thatintegrates a RAM and a backup circuit using a battery, an erasableprogrammable read-only memory (EEPROM), or a flash memory. The RAMinside the controller board 200 is a volatile storage part that storesand retains information only when power is supplied from the powersupply unit 207.

The PI board 203 and the PHY 204, which are for external communications,correspond to a communications part, which is, for example, acommunications board. The PI board 203, which includes an interfacecompliant with the RS-485 standard, is connected to the public line 103(FIG. 1) via a line adapter. The PHY 204 is an interface for performingcommunications with an external apparatus via a LAN.

The operations panel 205 is an operation unit that includes an operationpart including various kinds of operation keys (also referred to asoperation switches or operation buttons) and a display part including aliquid crystal display (LCD) or cathode ray tube (CRT) character displaydevice.

Here, ENGRDY illustrated in FIG. 3 is a signal line for notifying thecontroller board 200 of the completion of various initial settings andreadiness for exchanging commands with the controller board 200 on theengine side. Further, PWRCTL illustrated in FIG. 3 is a signal line forthe controller board 200 to control power supply to engines.

Next, a description is given of functional parts implemented by theprocessing of the CPU inside the controller board 200 of the MFP 15 b.

The MFP 15 b includes an application module layer at the top and aservice module layer below the application module layer.

The software of the application module layer is configured of a programfor causing the CPU to operate as multiple application control partsthat cause hardware resources to operate to implement desired functions.

The software of the service module layer is configured of a program forcausing the CPU to operate as a service control part that is interposedbetween hardware resources and application control parts and controlsthe execution of the operations of hardware resources based on requestsfor the operations of hardware resources from application control parts.

The programs that configure the above-described software are stored inthe HDD 201 or the RAM of the controller board 200 and are read asrequired to be executed by the CPU of the controller board 200.

By executing these programs as required, the CPU implements functionalparts as illustrated in FIG. 3, that is, a system control part 211, auser interface part 212, an intermediary apparatus communicationfunction part 213, and a management apparatus communication functionpart 214.

The system control part 211 manages control of the entire MFP 15 b, andexecutes the process of a task execution procedure that executes acommunication task using the intermediary apparatus communicationfunction part 213 or the management apparatus communication functionpart 214.

The system control part 211 executes the process of a power supplycontrol procedure that stops power supply by the power supply unit 207when the user interface part 212 receives an operation to turn off theapparatus (the MFP 15 b) from the operations panel 205.

The system control part 211 requests each of the intermediary apparatuscommunication function part 213 and the management apparatuscommunication function part 214 to transmit a message. The intermediaryapparatus communication function part 213 and the management apparatuscommunication function part 214 interpret respective received messagesand perform control in accordance with the contents of the receivedmessages.

As a result of execution of this communication task, the machine typeand number information, the customer information (customer codes), andthe information showing usage (usage information) of the MFP 15 b aretransmitted to the management apparatus 102. The usage information ofthe MFP 15 b includes, for example, the following information:

-   -   the rates of usage of a duplex (printing or copying) function        and a combining function and the number of outputs by paper size        on an apparatus basis;    -   a paper reduction effect due to the use of a duplex function and        a combining function (an estimated value); and    -   power consumption and the CO₂ emissions (output) of an apparatus        at the time of its use on an apparatus basis (estimated values).

Next, a description is given of the projector 15 c subjected to remotemanagement. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration ofthe projector 15 c. Of the units (components) of the projector 15 cillustrated in FIG. 4, the units other than a controller board 300 and aprojection engine 301 are the same as the units (components) of the MFP15 b illustrated in FIG. 3. Therefore, the same units as those of FIG. 3are referred to by the same reference numerals, and their descriptionsare omitted.

The controller board 300 illustrated in FIG. 4, which corresponds to acontrol part, includes a microcomputer including a CPU, a ROM, and aRAM, and controls the operations of other units via a PCI bus.

Here, ENGRDY in FIG. 4 is a signal line for notifying the controllerboard 300 of the completion of various initial settings and readinessfor exchanging commands with the controller board 300 on the projectionengine 301 side.

Further, PWRCTL in FIG. 4 is a signal line for the controller board 300to control the power supply of the power supply unit 207 to theprojection engine 301.

The projection engine 301 includes a sensor 302, a lamp 303, and acooling part 304. The lamp 303 is a light source that emits light forprojecting a magnified image onto a screen as a projection surface anddisplaying the magnified image on the screen.

The sensor 202 includes a sensor that detects the temperature of thelamp 303, a sensor that detects the operating time of the lamp 303, anda sensor that detects predetermined events inside the projection engine301, such as abnormalities (for example, a lamp abnormality, a coolingfan abnormality, etc.).

The cooling part 304 is a device that cools the lamp 303 whosetemperature has become high. Examples of the cooling part 304 include acooling fan that cools the lamp 303 by blowing air to the lamp 303 and acooling device that has a Peltier element provided in contact with thelamp 303 and cools the lamp 303 by a cooling effect caused by causingelectric current to flow through the Peltier element.

Next, a description is given of functional parts implemented by theprocessing of the CPU inside the controller board 300 of the projector15 c.

The projector 15 c includes an application module layer at the top and aservice module layer below the application module layer.

Programs that configure the software of the application module layer andthe software of the service module layer are stored in the HDD 201 orthe RAM of the controller board 300 and are read as required to beexecuted by the CPU of the controller board 300.

By executing these programs as required, the CPU implements functionalparts as illustrated in FIG. 4, that is, a system control part 311, auser interface part 312, an intermediary apparatus communicationfunction part 313, and a management apparatus communication functionpart 314.

The system control part 311 manages control of the entire projector 15c, and executes the process of a task execution procedure that executesa communication task using the intermediary apparatus communicationfunction part 313 or the management apparatus communication functionpart 314.

The system control part 311 executes the process of a power supplycontrol procedure that stops power supply by the power supply unit 207when the user interface part 312 receives an operation to turn off theapparatus (the projector 15 c) from the operations panel 205.

The system control part 311 requests each of the intermediary apparatuscommunication function part 313 and the management apparatuscommunication function part 314 to transmit a message. The intermediaryapparatus communication function part 313 and the management apparatuscommunication function part 314 interpret respective received messagesand perform control in accordance with the contents of the receivedmessages.

As a result of execution of this communication task, the machine typeand number information, the customer information, and the usageinformation of the projector 15 c are transmitted to the managementapparatus 102. The usage information of the projector 15 c includes, forexample, the following information:

-   -   a lamp operating time and a projector projection time;    -   a lamp lighting time in an “eco” (power saving) mode and an        apparatus usage time in the “eco” mode; and    -   the amount of CO₂ (carbon dioxide) reduction that indicates a        value obtained by subtracting the CO₂ output of the “eco” mode        time from the CO₂ output of the normal mode time.

The machine type and number information, the customer information, andthe usage information may be transmitted from the apparatuses either ata preset time or periodically (for example, every day or every week).

Next, a description is given, with reference to FIG. 5 as well as FIG.1, of the intermediary apparatus 101. FIG. 5 is a block diagramillustrating a configuration of the intermediary apparatus 101.

The intermediary apparatus 101 includes a CPU 31, a dynamic RAM (DRAM)32, a flash ROM 33, a card memory controller 34, a card memory 35, anapparatus interface (I/F) 36, a real-time clock (RTC) circuit 37, amodem 38, a network control unit (NCU) 39, network interface cards(NICs) 40 and 41, and a power supply circuit 42.

The CPU 31 controls apparatuses (for example, the MFP 15 b and theprojector 15 c) connected to the intermediary apparatus 101 based onvarious programs including an operating system (OS) in the DRAM 32.

The CPU 31 controls data (signal) transmission to and data (signal)reception from the management apparatus 102 via the public line 103 orthe Internet 112 through the NCU 39 or the NICs 40 and 41.

The CPU 31 calls the management apparatus 102 via the public line 103based on data from apparatuses, and controls switching of thedestination of line connection, that is, determines whether to connect aline to the apparatus side or to the external communications apparatus(fixed-line telephone (TEL) or facsimile machine (FAX)) side. The CPU 31performs overall control of the entire intermediary apparatus 101.

The DRAM 32 is a main memory used as a program memory that storesvarious programs including the OS and as a work memory that the CPU 31uses when processing data. The DRAM 32 may be replaced with a static RAM(SRAM).

The flash ROM 33 is a nonvolatile memory used as a program memory thatstores a boot program and as a database (DB) that stores datatransmitted between the management apparatus 102 and apparatuses (forexample, the MFP 15 b and the projector 15 c). The flash ROM 33 isconfigured to retain stored data even when the intermediary apparatus101 is turned off. The flash ROM 33 may be replaced with anothernonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM.

The card memory controller 34 controls the writing of data to and thereading of data from the card memory 35.

The card memory 35, which is a recording medium such as an SD memory,stores various programs such as the OS, drivers, and applications. Theseprograms may alternatively be stored in the flash ROM 33 or in aseparately provided HDD.

The apparatus I/F 36 is an apparatus connecting part that connectsapparatuses that are objects of remote management (for example, the MFP15 b and the projector 15 c) to the intermediary apparatus 101.

The RTC circuit 37 generates time information. The CPU 31 determines acurrent time by reading the time information generated by the RTCcircuit 37.

The modem 38 is a modulation and demodulation part. In the case oftransmitting data to the management apparatus 102 via the public line103, the modem 38 modulates (converts) the data into a form that istransmittable through the public line 103. In the case of receivingmodulated data transmitted from the management apparatus 102, the modem38 demodulates the received data.

The NCU 30 controls communications with external apparatuses includingthe management apparatus 102 or external communications devices via thepublic line 103.

The NICs 40 and 41 control communications with apparatuses subjected toremote management, the firewall 104, or other electronic devicesincluding a management terminal using a personal computer (notgraphically illustrated) on a LAN (or other networks).

The NICs 40 and 41 control communications with various externalapparatuses including the management apparatus 102 via the firewall 104and the Internet 112.

The power supply circuit 42 converts alternating current (AC) electricpower (commercial power supply) from an AC adapter 43 into directcurrent (DC) electric power, and supplies the DC electric power to theabove-described components of the intermediary apparatus 101.

The modem 38 and the CPU 31 are connected by a transmission data line(TX) and a reception data line (RX), which are data lines, and a clearto send (CTS) signal line, a request to send (RTS) signal line, a dataset ready (DSR) signal line, and a data carrier detect (DCD) signalline, which are signal lines. The modem 38 is controlled in accordancewith the RTS signal and the DCD signal from the CPU 31.

The NCU 39 and the modem 38 are connected by a reception data (RXD)signal line and a transmission data (TXD) signal line. The reception(received) data (RXD) is an analog modulated signal generated by themodem of the management apparatus 102. The transmission data (to betransmitted) (TXD) is an analog modulated signal generated by the modem38.

This intermediary apparatus 101 transmits the machine type and numberinformation, the customer information, and the usage informationtransmitted from apparatuses to the management apparatus 102.

Next, a description is given of a configuration of the managementapparatus 102. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration ofthe management apparatus 102.

The management apparatus 102 includes a modem 601, a communications part602, a proxy server 603, an operations part 604, a database 605, and acontrol part 606.

The modem 601 communicates with the intermediary apparatus 101 on theapparatus side (for example, on the side of a customer who uses theprojector 15 c) or apparatuses via the public line 103, and modulatestransmission data (to be transmitted) and demodulates received data. Thecommunications part 602 controls communications by the modem 601.

The proxy server 603 communicates with the intermediary apparatus 101 onthe apparatus side or apparatuses via the Internet 112 and performssecurity management.

The operations part 604 receives the input of various data throughoperations of an input part such as a keyboard or a pointing device (amouse or the like) by an operator.

The database 605 resides in a storage device such as a hard disk drive,and stores data received from the intermediary apparatus 101 on theapparatus side or apparatuses and various data received from apparatusesvia the intermediary apparatus 101. Examples of data stored in thedatabase 605 include the machine type and number information, thecustomer information, and the usage information of apparatuses. Thedatabase 605 corresponds to the database 121 illustrated in FIG. 2.

The control part 606 includes a microcomputer including a CPU, a ROM,and a RAM, and performs overall control of the entire managementapparatus 102.

The CPU operates in accordance with a program and selectively uses themodem 601, the communications part 602, or the proxy server 603, so thatvarious functions are implemented.

Next, a description is given of a configuration of the creationapparatus (a report creating apparatus) 150. FIG. 7 is a block diagramillustrating a configuration of the creation apparatus 150. The creationapparatus 150 is an information processor such as a PC or a server thatcreates reports.

The creation apparatus 150 illustrated in FIG. 7 includes a control part701, a primary storage part 702, a secondary storage part 703, a driveunit 704, a network I/F part 706, an input part 707, and a display part708, which are so interconnected by a bus as to be able to transmit datato and receive data from one another.

The control part 701 is a CPU that controls devices and performs dataoperations and data processing in the computer. Further, the controlpart 701 is a processor that executes a report creating program storedin the primary storage part 702 or the secondary storage part 703. Thecontrol part 701 receives data from the input part 707 or a storagedevice (the primary storage part 702 or the secondary storage part 703),performs operations on and processes the received data, and outputs thedata to the display part 708 or the storage device.

The primary storage device 702, which includes a ROM and a RAM, is astorage device that stores or temporarily retains programs such as anOS, which is basic software executed by the control part 701, andapplication software, and data.

The secondary storage part 703, which is, for example, an HDD, is astorage device that stores data related to application software.

The drive unit 704 reads a program from a recording medium 705 such asan SD card, and installs the read program in the storage device.Further, the report creating program may be stored in the recordingmedium 705 and installed in the creation apparatus 150 via the driveunit 704. The installed report creating program is ready to be executedby the creation apparatus 105.

The network I/F part 706 is an interface between the creation apparatus150 and peripheral devices having a communicating function, which areconnected to the creation apparatus 150 via a network such as a LAN or aWAN constructed of a data transmission channel such as a wire circuitand/or a wireless circuit.

The input part 707 includes a keyboard including cursor keys, numberinput keys, and various function keys, and a mouse or a touchpad forselecting a key on the display screen of the display part 708.

The display part 708 includes an LCD and performs display in accordancewith display data input from the control part 701.

Next, a description is given of functional parts implemented byprocessing inside the control part 701 of the creation apparatus 150.The creation apparatus 150 includes an application module layer at thetop and a service module layer below the application module layer.

Programs that configure the software of the application module layer andthe software of the service module layer are stored in the secondarystorage part 703 or the primary storage part 702 and are read asrequired to be executed by the control part 701.

By executing these programs as required, the control part 701 implementsthe functional parts as illustrated in FIG. 8. FIG. 8 is a block diagramillustrating functions of the creation apparatus 150. In the caseillustrated in FIG. 8, the creation apparatus 150 includes a typeidentifying part 801, a usage pattern determining part (a firstdetermination part) 802, a report type determining part (a seconddetermination part) 803, a report creating part 804, a report selectingpart 805, and a download control part 806.

The type identifying part 801 accesses the database 121 (FIG. 2) of theremote management system 1, and obtains machine type and numberinformation that includes the machine type code of one or moreapparatuses. Therefore, the type identifying part 801 also operates asan obtaining part that obtains machine type and number information.Further, the type identifying part 801 accesses the database 151 (FIG.2), and obtains machine type information that correlates the machinetype codes of apparatuses with corresponding machine types.

The type identifying part 801 identifies (determines) the type of eachapparatus (apparatus type) based on the obtained machine type code andmachine type information. The apparatus type is, for example, an MFP, aprojector or the like. The identified apparatus type indicates the typeof the apparatus used by a customer.

Further, in the case of creating a report of a predetermined customer,the type identifying part 801 obtains all machine type and numberinformation items corresponding to the customer code of thepredetermined customer from the database 121. This enables the types ofcustomer-used apparatuses to be identified on a customer basis.

The type identifying part 801 may retain customer codes in advance orobtain customer codes from customers using the PC 152 (FIG. 2). The typeidentifying part 801 notifies the usage pattern determining part 802 ofthe identified apparatus types.

In response to obtaining the apparatus types identified by the typeidentifying part 801, the usage pattern determining part 802 obtainspattern information from the database 151. The pattern information showsthe usage pattern of apparatuses based on the presence or absence ofusage. The usage pattern is a combination (of apparatus usage) showingwhich type of apparatus is used and which type of apparatus is not used.

The usage pattern determining part 802 determines (identifies) usagepattern based on the apparatus types identified by the type identifyingpart 801 and the pattern information. The usage pattern determining part802 notifies the report type determining part 803 of the determinedusage pattern.

In response to obtaining the usage pattern determined by the usagepattern determining part 802, the report type determining part 803obtains type information from the database 151. The type informationcorrelates usage patterns with corresponding report types.

The report type is a set of rules such as data to be used for a report,data to be presented in a report, a method of arranging, a method ofaggregating, and a method of processing data handled by a report, andthe format of a report. That is, the report type shows the contents of areport. The database 151 stores such rules for each report type.

The report type determining part 803 determines (identifies) a reporttype based on the usage pattern determined by the usage patterndetermining part 802 and the type information. The report typedetermining part 803 notifies the report creating part 804 of thedetermined report type.

When determining multiple report types, the report type determining part803 notifies the report type selecting part 805 of the multiple reporttypes.

In the case of obtaining multiple report types from the report typedetermining part 803, the report type selecting part 805 displays ascreen for selecting a report type (a report type selecting screen)using a user interface, and has a customer select one or more of thereport types. The report type selecting part 805 notifies the reportcreating part 804 of the report type(s) selected by the customer. Thereport type determining part 803 and the report type selecting part 805may be a single configuration.

In response to obtaining the report type determined by the report typedetermining part 803 or the report type selected by the report typeselecting part 805, the report creating part 804 obtains rulescorresponding to the report type from the database 151.

The report creating part 804 obtains data used in the rulescorresponding to the report type from the database 121 of the remotemanagement system 1. When a customer code is present, the reportcreating part 804 obtains necessary data from usage informationcorresponding to the customer code. The usage information shows theusage of apparatuses.

The report creating part 804 creates a report based on the data obtainedfrom the usage information and the arranging method, the aggregatingmethod, and the processing method defined in the report type. Thisreport is, for example, a usage report according to the types of theapparatuses used by a predetermined customer. As a result, it ispossible to create a usage report according to the types of theapparatuses used by a customer on a customer basis.

The report creating part 804 correlates the created report with thecustomer code and stores the report in correlation with the customercode. This makes it possible to manage reports on a customer basis inthe database 151.

Further, the report creating part 804 may create reports atpredetermined times based on a scheduling function. In this case, bycausing the type identifying part 801 to obtain device information atpredetermined times, it is possible to create reports at predeterminedtimes.

Further, the type identifying part 801 obtains data from the database121 of the remote management system 1. However, if a storage device thatretains data in the database 121 is provided separately from the remotemanagement system 1, the type identifying part 801 may also obtain datafrom the storage device.

It is preferable, however, that the report creating system 2 cooperatewith the remote management system 1 so that the type identifying part801 may obtain data from the database 121.

In response to receiving a report downloading request from an apparatusconnected via a network (for example, the PC 152 or the PC 15 a in FIG.2), the download control part 806 controls execution of downloading.Further, the download control part 806 may periodically cause customersto download reports.

When a report is downloaded, the download control part 806 stores adownload history (record) in the database 151. The download historyincludes the customer code of a customer who has downloaded the report,the downloaded report, the identification information of the downloadedreport, and the date and time of downloading. As a result, it ispossible to manage download histories in the database 151. The storagedevice that manages download histories does not always have to be thedatabase 151.

Next, a description is given of data used in an embodiment. FIG. 9 is adiagram illustrating device information managed in the database 121 ofthe remote management system 1. The device information correlatescustomer codes and machine type and number information.

For example, machine type and number information “A284, 111111” iscorrelated with a customer code “456001.” In the machine type and numberinformation, information is segmented by a comma (“,”) and theinformation before the comma indicates a machine type code and theinformation after the comma indicates machine number information.

In the remote management system 1, the information illustrated in FIG. 9is transmitted from apparatuses subjected to remote management (forexample, the MFP 15 b and the projector 15 c illustrated in FIG. 2) andmanaged in the database 121.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating machine type information managed inthe database 151 of the report creating system 2. The machine typeinformation correlates machine type codes, machine type names, and thetypes of apparatuses (machine types). The machine type names may beomitted from the machine type information.

For example, a machine type name “MP C4500” and a type “MFP” arecorrelated with a machine type code “A284.” The information illustratedin FIG. 10 is registered with (recorded in) the database 151 in advance.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating pattern information managed in thedatabase 151 of the report creating system 2. The pattern informationcorrelates usage patterns and the presence or absence of the types ofapparatuses. It is assumed that the types of apparatuses illustrated inFIG. 11 are, for example, an MFP and a projector.

For example, a usage pattern “101” shows a cross (“x”) for the MFP and acircle (“∘”) for the projector. Here, “x” indicates the absence ofusage, and “∘” indicates the presence of usage. That is, the usagepattern “101” indicates that the projector is used and the MFP is notused and that the used projector is managed by the remote managementsystem 1.

FIG. 12A is a diagram illustrating an example of the type informationmanaged in the database 151 of the report creating system 2. The typeinformation correlates usage patterns and report types. For example, areport type “Type A” is correlated with the usage pattern “101.”

In “Type A,” corresponding data to be used for a report, correspondingdata to be presented in a report, a corresponding method of arranging, acorresponding method of aggregating, and a corresponding method ofprocessing data handled by a report, and a corresponding format of areport are defined.

FIG. 12B is a diagram illustrating another example of the typeinformation managed in the database 151 of the report creating system 2.In the case illustrated in FIG. 12B, multiple report types arecorrelated with a signal usage pattern.

For example, three report types of “Type A,” “Type D,” and “Type E” arecorrelated with the usage pattern “101.” In this case, one or more ofthe report types may be selected by the report type selecting part 805.

The type information illustrated in FIG. 12A or the type informationillustrated in FIG. 12B may be stored in the database 151 as typeinformation. The details of the rules of report types are stored in thedatabase 151.

Next, a description is given of a report type selecting screen. FIG. 13is a diagram illustrating an example of the report type selectingscreen. When there are multiple report types corresponding to a usagepattern, the selecting screen as illustrated in FIG. 13 is displayed andcontrolled by the report type selecting part 805.

A customer checks one report type and depresses an OK button on theselecting screen as illustrated in FIG. 13. In response to detecting theselection of the checked report type, the report type selecting part 805notifies the report creating part 804 of the checked report type.

When “Details” is selected on the selecting screen illustrated in FIG.13, the rules defined by the report type are displayed. This allows thecustomer to select a report type after confirming the details of thereport types.

Next, a description is given of a report created in accordance with areport type. FIG. 14, FIG. 15, and FIG. 16 illustrates reports in thecase where the usage pattern indicates the use of the MFP alone. FIG. 17illustrates a report in the case where the usage pattern indicates theuse of the projector alone. FIG. 18 illustrates a report in the casewhere the usage pattern indicates the use of the MFP and the projector.By way of example, the reports illustrated below are usage reports.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a report based on a report type forreporting the usage of a duplex function and a combining function. Inthe case illustrated in FIG. 14, a report that contains a machinenumber, an installation section name, a data obtaining date, a totaloutput number, duplex-related data, and combining-related data on amachine type name basis is created by the report creating part 804.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a report based on a report type forreporting output on a color mode basis. In the case illustrated in FIG.15, a report that contains a machine number, an installation sectionname, a data obtaining date, and output data by color mode on a machinetype name basis is created by the report creating part 804.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a report based on a report type forreporting time by operating condition. In the case illustrated in FIG.16, a report that contains a machine number, an installation sectionname, and time (minutes) data by operating condition on a machine typename basis is created by the report creating part 804.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a report based on a report type forreporting the mode-by-mode projection time of a projector. In the caseillustrated in FIG. 17, a report that contains a machine number, a dataobtaining date, and projection time data is created by the reportcreating part 804.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a report based on a report type forreporting the usage of the MFP and the projector. In the caseillustrated in FIG. 18, a report that contains a monthly total outputnumber on an MFP machine type name basis and a monthly projection timeon a projector machine type name basis is created by the report creatingpart 804.

While the above-described reports are in a table format, reports may becreated using graphs and diagrams.

According to this embodiment, it is possible to create a report thatshows the usage of the projector and a report that shows the usage ofboth the MFP and the projector in accordance with the usage pattern of acustomer as illustrated in FIG. 17 and FIG. 18.

Next, a description is given of a report creating procedure in thereport creating system 2. FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating a reportcreating process. In the case of FIG. 19, a procedure for creating areport for a predetermined customer is illustrated. This report creatingprocess may be automatically started periodically by a schedulingfunction or be started by the control of a service operation section.

Referring to FIG. 19, at step S101, the creation apparatus 150 reads allmachine type and number information corresponding to the customer codeof a predetermined customer from the database 121 of the remotemanagement system. In the database 121, the machine type and numberinformation is managed so as to allow all machine type and numberinformation corresponding to the same customer code to be read out (FIG.9).

At step S102, the creation apparatus 150 (the type identifying part 801)identifies the types of apparatuses by referring to the machine typeinformation (FIG. 10) retained in the database 151 based on one or moremachine type and number information items read from the database 121.The types of apparatuses are, for example, the type of apparatusesremotely managed by the remote management system 1, such as the MFP andthe projector.

At step S103, the creation apparatus 150 (the usage pattern determiningpart 802) determines the presence or absence of usage on a machine typebasis based on the identified types of apparatuses. For example, thecreation apparatus 150 determines that the types of apparatuses used bythis customer are both the projector and the MFP.

Because the types of apparatuses may be defined in advance, the patterninformation as illustrated in FIG. 11 is pre-stored in the database 151.The creation apparatus 150 determines a usage pattern using the usagepresence/absence information of the identified types and the patterninformation.

The number of types of apparatuses in the pattern information is notlimited and may be any number. The types of apparatuses with respect towhich the presence or absence of usage is determined may be determinedbased on the granularity that is determined to be desirable for creatingreports.

Further, consideration may be given to improvement in the efficiency ofprocessing order, so that the process of identifying the types ofapparatuses in the machine type and number information may be stopped inresponse to identifying a usage pattern. For example, the identifyingprocess may be terminated when the number of the identified types ofapparatuses reaches an upper limit value.

At step S104, the creation apparatus 150 (the report type determiningpart 803) determines a report type referring to the type information(FIG. 12A or FIG. 12B) based on the identified usage pattern.

The report type is a set of rules such as data to be used for a report,data to be presented in a report, a method of arranging, a method ofaggregating, and a method of processing data handled by a report, andthe format of a report. The defined rules of the report types of thetype information are retained in the database 151 on a report typebasis.

At step S105, the creation part 150 (the report creating part 804)creates a report using predetermined rules corresponding to thedetermined report type, where the rules are predetermined on a reporttype basis.

At this point, the creation apparatus 150 obtains usage informationnecessary to create a report from the remote management system 1, andprocesses and aggregates various data included in the usage informationto create a report. The various data include the projection time of aprojector and the total count (the number of outputs, for example,output sheets of paper) of an MFP.

At step S106, the creation apparatus 150 (the report creating part 804)stores the created report in the database 151 in correlation with thecustomer code.

This makes it possible to create various types of reports in accordancewith the types of apparatuses used by a customer.

Next, a description is given of a report creating procedure in a reportcreating system including the remote management system 1. FIG. 20 is asequence diagram illustrating a report creating process including theremote management system 1. In the case of FIG. 20, a procedure forcreating a report for a predetermined customer is illustrated. Theapparatus 10 is, for example, an MFP or a projector.

At step S201, the intermediary apparatus 101 requests the apparatus 10to obtain machine type and number information.

At step S202, in response to receiving a request to obtain machine typeand number information from the intermediary apparatus 101, theapparatus 10 transmits its own machine type and number information tothe intermediary apparatus 101.

At step S203, the intermediary apparatus 101 registers the apparatus 10with the management apparatus 102. The apparatus registration includesthe registration of the customer code of a customer who uses theapparatus 10 and the machine type and number information obtained fromthe apparatus 10.

At step S204, in response to receiving a request for apparatusregistration from the intermediary apparatus 101, the managementapparatus 102 correlates and stores the customer code and the machinetype and number information in the database 121.

The process of steps S201 through S204 are an apparatus registrationprocess executed in the remote management system 1.

At step S205, the intermediary apparatus 101, for example, periodicallyrequests the apparatus 10 to obtain usage information such as counterinformation. When the apparatus 10 is an MFP, the usage informationincludes a failure notification, a supply (toner supply) notification,and the counter values of a copier and a printer. When the apparatus 10is a projector, the usage information includes a failure notificationand the projection time of the projector.

At step S206, in response to receiving a request to obtain usageinformation, the apparatus 10 transmits usage information to theintermediary apparatus 101.

At step S207, the intermediary apparatus 101 transmits the usageinformation to the management apparatus 102. This may be implemented byapplying the counter notification function of the remote managementsystem 1.

At step S208, in response to receiving the usage information from theintermediary apparatus 101, the management apparatus 102 stores theusage information in the database 121 in correlation with the machinetype and number information of the apparatus 10.

The process of steps S206 through S208 is an information notificationprocess executed in the remote management system 1.

At step S209, the creation apparatus 150 accesses the database 121 andrequests to obtain all machine type and number information correspondingto a predetermined customer code.

At step S210, the creation apparatus 150 obtains all the requestedmachine type and number information from the database 121.

At steps S211 and S212, the creation apparatus 150 (the type identifyingpart 801) identifies the types of apparatuses by referring to themachine type information (FIG. 10) retained in the database 151 based onone or more machine type and number information items read from thedatabase 121. The types of apparatuses are, for example, the type ofapparatuses remotely managed by the remote management system 1, such asthe MFP and the projector.

At steps S213 and S214, the creation apparatus 150 (the usage patterndetermining part 802) determines the presence or absence of usage on amachine type basis based on the identified types of apparatuses. Forexample, the creation apparatus 150 determines that the types ofapparatuses used by this customer are both the projector and the MFP.The creation apparatus 150 determines a usage pattern using the usagepresence/absence information of the identified types and the patterninformation.

At steps S215 and S216, the creation apparatus 150 (the report typedetermining part 803) determines a report type referring to the typeinformation (FIG. 12A or FIG. 12B) based on the identified usagepattern.

At step S217, the creation apparatus 150 (the report creating part 804)accesses the database 121 and requests to obtain usage information basedon the machine type and number information.

At step S218, the creation apparatus 150 (the report creating part 804)obtains all the requested usage information from the database 121.

At step S219, the creation apparatus 150 (the report creating part 804)creates a report using the usage information in accordance withpredetermined rules corresponding to the determined report type, wherethe rules are predetermined on a report type basis.

At step S220, the creation apparatus 150 (the report creating part 804)stores the created report in the database 151 in correlation with thecustomer code.

This makes it possible to create various types of reports in accordancewith the types of apparatuses used by a customer.

A description is given of two example operations of the above-describedreport creating system 2. First, it is assumed that a projector isintroduced as an object of remote management into the apparatuses of acustomer managed by the remote management system 1, all of which havebeen MFPs.

In this case, the customer may not be convinced by a mere theoreticalexplanation that the introduction and use of a projector has reduced thenumber of paper sheets distributed in meetings, and the reduction ofpaper use reduces document costs and an environmental load. Therefore,it is advantageous in terms of business to present the customer with areport that expresses this theory in numerical values as evidence.

For example, it is possible to collect “the projection time of aprojector” and “the counter value of an MFP” as numerical valueinformation using the remote management system 1. In the report creatingsystem 2 of the above-described embodiment, it is possible to notify thecustomer that an increase in the projection time of the projectorreduces the counter value of the MFP as a periodic report.

Further, this makes it possible to accelerate reduction of documentcosts and reduction of an environmental load through the optimization ofan apparatus environment and a review of managerial and operationalwork.

A description is given of variations. The creation apparatus 150 mayalso be divided into a function of the type identifying part 801 as anobtaining part that obtains machine type and number information, afunction of the type identifying part 801 other than the obtaining part,and a function as a creation part that integrates the usage patterndetermining part 802, the report type determining part 803, and thereport creating part 804.

In this case, the obtaining part obtains machine type and numberinformation (first identification information) for identifying the typesof apparatuses subjected to remote management. The creation part createsa report according to the types of apparatuses identified by the machinetype and number information obtained by the obtaining part.

A program executed in the creation part 150 may be provided by way ofbeing recorded in the recording medium 705 as illustrated in FIG. 7,which is a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, aflexible disk (FD), a CD-R, and a digital versatile disk (DVD), as afile of an installable format or an executable format.

Further, a program executed in the creation apparatus 150 may beprovided by way of being stored in a computer connected to a networksuch as the Internet 112 and being downloaded via the network. Further,a program executed in the creation apparatus 150 may be provided ordistributed via a network such as the Internet 112.

A program executed in the creation apparatus 150 may be provided by wayof being incorporated into a ROM.

A program executed in the creation apparatus 150 has a modularconfiguration including the above-described functional parts of, forexample, FIG. 8. As an actual hardware configuration, referring to FIG.7, the control part 701 reads a program from the primary storage part702 or the secondary storage part 703 and executes the read program, sothat one or more of the above-described functional parts are loaded intothe primary storage 702 to be generated in the primary storage 702.

Further, while the reports are described above taking a usage report asan example, the reports may be any reports based on data obtained fromapparatuses. Further, while the MFP and the projector are described asapparatuses subjected to remote management, any apparatuses may besubjected to remote management as long as the apparatuses are allowed totransmit information via a network.

All examples and conditional language provided herein are intended forpedagogical purposes of aiding the reader in understanding the inventionand the concepts contributed by the inventor to further the art, and arenot to be construed as limitations to such specifically recited examplesand conditions, nor does the organization of such examples in thespecification relate to a showing of the superiority or inferiority ofthe invention. Although one or more embodiments of the present inventionhave been described in detail, it should be understood that the variouschanges, substitutions, and alterations could be made hereto withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention by, for example,suitably combining multiple elements disclosed in the above-describedembodiments. For example, one or more elements may be deleted from theelements disclosed in the embodiments.

What is claimed is:
 1. A report creating system, comprising: a storagedevice storing machine type information that correlates machine typecodes of a plurality of apparatuses used by customers with correspondingtypes of the plurality of apparatuses, and report type information thatcorrelates each of a plurality of report types with a correspondingcombination of one or more of the types of the plurality of apparatusesused by the customers; a database storing information that correlates acustomer code of a customer with the machine type codes of one or moreapparatuses used by the customer and managed by a remote managementsystem among the plurality of apparatuses with respect to each of thecustomers; and a report creating apparatus that includes a processor;and a storage part storing a program that, when executed by theprocessor, causes the report creating apparatus to obtain each of one ormore of the machine type codes correlated with one of the customer codesfrom the database, identify one or more of the types of one or more ofthe managed apparatuses used by one of the customers identified by theone of the customer codes based on the obtained each of the one or moreof the machine type codes and the machine type information, and create areport based on at least one of the plurality of report types, referringto the stored report type information, the at least one of the pluralityof report types being correlated with a combination of the identifiedone or more of the types of the one or more of the managed apparatusesused by the one of the customers in the stored report type information,wherein a plurality of types of reports are creatable based on two ormore of the plurality of report types when the two or more of theplurality of report types are correlated with the combination of theidentified one or more of the types of the one or more of the managedapparatuses used by the one of the customers in the stored report typeinformation.
 2. The report creating system as claimed in claim 1,wherein the program further causes the report creating apparatus toobtain usage information from the remote management system managing theapparatuses, the usage information showing usage of the one or more ofthe managed apparatuses used by the one of the customers, and to createthe report based on the obtained usage information.
 3. The reportcreating system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the program furthercauses the report creating apparatus to control downloading of thereport by an apparatus connected to the report creating apparatus via anetwork.
 4. The report creating system as claimed in claim 1, whereinthe report is created using rules corresponding to the combination ofthe identified type of the one or more of the managed apparatuses usedby the one of the customers, the rules being predetermined type by typeof the types of the plurality of apparatuses.
 5. The report creatingsystem as claimed in claim 1, wherein the report is created based on atleast one of the two or more of the plurality of report types selectedby the one of the customers when the two or more of the plurality ofreport types are correlated with the combination of the identified oneor more of the types of the one or more of the managed apparatuses usedby the one of the customers.
 6. The report creating system as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the two or more of the plurality of report types aredisplayed on a screen and the report is created based on at least one ofthe two or more of the plurality of report types selected from the twoor more of the plurality of report types displayed on the screen whenthe two or more of the plurality of report types are correlated with thecombination of the identified one or more of the types of the one ormore of the managed apparatuses used by the one of the customers.
 7. Thereport creating system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the correspondingcombination of the one or more of the types of the plurality ofapparatuses used by the customers indicates the presence or absence ofusage of each of the one or more of the types of the plurality ofapparatuses.
 8. A report creating method implemented in a reportcreating system, wherein the report creating system includes a storagedevice storing machine type information that correlates machine typecodes of a plurality of apparatuses used by customers with correspondingtypes of the plurality of apparatuses, and report type information thatcorrelates each of a plurality of report types with a correspondingcombination of one or more of the types of the plurality of apparatusesused by the customers; a database storing information that correlates acustomer code of a customer with the machine type codes of one or moreapparatuses used by the customer and managed by a remote managementsystem among the plurality of apparatuses with respect to each of thecustomers; and a report creating apparatus, the report creatingapparatus including a processor and a memory storing a program that,when executed by the processor, causes the report creating apparatus toexecute processes of the report creating method, the report creatingmethod comprising: obtaining each of one or more of the machine typecodes correlated with one of the customer codes from the database;identifying one or more of the types of one or more of the managedapparatuses used by one of the customers identified by the one of thecustomer codes based on the obtained each of the one or more of themachine type codes and the machine type information; and creating areport based on at least one of the plurality of report types, referringto the stored report type information, the at least one of the pluralityof report types correlated with a combination of the identified one ormore of the types of the one or more of the managed apparatuses used bythe one of the customers in the stored report type information, whereina plurality of types of reports are creatable based on two or more ofthe plurality of report types when the two or more of the plurality ofreport types are correlated with the combination of the identified oneor more of the types of the one or more of the managed apparatuses usedby the one of the customers in the stored report type information. 9.The report creating method as claimed in claim 8, further comprising:obtaining usage information from the remote management system managingthe apparatuses, the usage information showing usage of the one or moreof the managed apparatuses used by the one of the customers, wherein thereport is created based on the obtained usage information.
 10. Thereport creating method as claimed in claim 8, further comprising:controlling downloading of the report by an apparatus connected to thereport creating apparatus via a network.
 11. The report creating methodas claimed in claim 8, wherein the report is created using rulescorresponding to the combination of the identified type of the one ormore of the managed apparatuses used by the one of the customers, therules being predetermined type by type of the types of the plurality ofapparatuses.
 12. The report creating method as claimed in claim 8,wherein the report is created based on at least one of the two or moreof the plurality of report types selected by the one of the customerswhen the two or more of the plurality of report types are correlatedwith the combination of the identified one or more of the types of theone or more of the managed apparatuses used by the one of the customers.13. The report creating method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the two ormore of the plurality of report types are displayed on a screen and thereport is created based on at least one of the two or more of theplurality of report types selected from the two or more of the pluralityof report types displayed on the screen when the two or more of theplurality of report types are correlated with the combination of theidentified one or more of the types of the one or more of the managedapparatuses used by the one of the customers.
 14. The report creatingmethod as claimed in claim 8, wherein the corresponding combination ofthe one or more of the types of the plurality of apparatuses used by thecustomers indicates the presence or absence of usage of each of the oneor more of the types of the plurality of apparatuses.